Guest Post: Childbirth Preparation: Online, Community, and College Classes

Many women who are pregnant, and even those who are considering pregnancy, are interested in learning more about the process. It can be scary to think about all of the painful stories told by friends and relatives, but with the right preparatory classes, pain management and many other strategies can be learned to help women enjoy birth. The following are some examples of useful classes and programs, categorized by medium and location, so you can choose the best way to answer your questions.

Online Classes

This set of six classes is available online for free and is really more of an informational reading than a class setting. Each “class” is about eight pages long, and topics range from pain in pregnancy to the stages of labor, doulas, medications, interventions, complications, and postpartum adjustment.

If you’re willing to spend a little money on a good class with lots of helpful resources, you might consider Natural Online Child Birth Education. This program includes a core curriculum, birthing workbook, language of childbirth vocabulary pack, access to StudyWomb (an online classroom and full suite of tools), and one-click e-mail support. You can also choose from three different formats: 12-week, 7-week, and self-paced for your convenience. It may seem like an overwhelming amount of information, but you won’t be left wondering, and the $50 price tag could be well worth the peace of mind.

Community Classes

Lamaze classes teach simple labor coping strategies and provide information about medical procedures for pain management and relief. Focused breathing, moving and positioning, massage, relaxation techniques, and labor support are all covered topics. It’s easy to find a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) near you by filling out this online form.

The Bradley method consists of twelve classes and includes topics on nutrition in pregnancy, “the coach’s role” for future fathers, creating a birth plan, labor stages and techniques, postpartum preparation, and family preparation. Classes include a 125-page workbook and focus on natural birthing strategies. If you’re looking for smaller classes so you can get individual attention, this might be the right choice – Bradley classes average 3-6 couples. You can request an information packet online and find a local instructor here.

College Classes

Some community colleges offer childbirth classes that are open to the public. For example, Mission College in Santa Clara, CA offers eight different classes in three areas to meet the needs of a variety of expectant moms and current infant caretakers. There’s even a Managing Multiples class for women who are pregnant with twins or more. Online registration is easy to complete for most institutions, so check your local community colleges for childbirth classes that might be available to you.

Bio: Alexis Bonari is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident education blogger and performs research surrounding College Scholarships. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.